Tributes as McGuinness's mother dies

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with his mother, Peggy.
Photograph: Harrison Photography/PA

PETER ROBINSON led the condolences in the Assembly yesterday that were offered to Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on the death of his 84-year-old mother, Peggy.

Mrs McGuinness had been ill for some months. She died at her home in Derry yesterday.

“While politics might be considered to be a rough trade I think all of us recognise that this is the time to set aside any political issues and to recognise the difficulty that the [McGuinness] family will be facing at this time,” said Mr Robinson.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Mrs McGuinness was a “kindly woman with real charm”. Other MLAs also offered their sympathy to Mr McGuinness yesterday.

The death has also occurred of prominent Sinn Féin councillor Charlie McHugh from Castlederg, Co Tyrone, who served on Strabane District Council.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times